“Then go be nice somewhere else,” she growled back.
“It’s so nice to see the two of you getting along like old times,” said Nandini Aunty, the Rani Ma of Mirpur, from behind us, andI turned around hastily to see that everyone was watching us avidly.
Shivina gave me a discreet thumbs up, and I forced a smile on my face.
“It’s always good to catch up with old friends, Aunty.”
Meher’s mother floated over to us, her eyes flitting between the two of us anxiously. She relaxed when she realised we weren’t about to murder each other.
“Meher, I think it’s time we took our leave. I’ll see you at the polo club tomorrow, Nandini Didi Sa.”
“Samrat will see you home, Shalini,” said Nandini Aunty, and Meher’s mother’s eyes widened with delight.
“Will he? That would be lovely, thank you, beta.”
She turned around to cast a quick triumphant look around the room, and I heard Meher groan softly. By the time we left the palace, everyone present at the party was aware of the new peace treaty between the Deoras and the Rathores, and the only silver lining for me was the fact that Nilanjana looked completely furious at being thwarted in her plans.
“Samrat, wait for me,” she called out as we were leaving. “Let’s all take my car since we’re both going home.”
“That’s all right, Bhabhi Sa,” I replied, emphasizing our relationship pointedly. “I’m going to take Meher for a drive after I drop Shalini Aunty home.”
That set the henhouse in an uproar, and I hustled Meher and her mother out before anybody could ask any more questions.
Meher and her mother were staying at their Jaipur home for the next few days because it was closer to Mirpur than Matta was, so I dropped them off there. Her mother jumped out of the car as soon as it came to a stop.
“Enjoy your drive, beta,” she said, but Meher was too fast for her.
“I’m too tired for a drive, Samrat. But thank you for the ride home,” she said politely, and followed her mother out. I heard them squabbling about it as they went into the house, and the sound of their familiar arguments brought a smile to my lips. That hadn’t changed, even if everything else had.
The next morning, I drove up to Jaipur for the polo match rather reluctantly. I was peopled out after last night, and if I had my way, I’d hide in my study for the next few days. But I had promised Shivina I’d show up today, and I liked to keep my word. Besides, I wanted to avoid Nilanjana as much as I could, since she was suddenly overcome by maternal love and had decided to stay at the palace for a few more days than usual.
Meher was already seated in the VIP enclosure, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight of her. She was wearing a gauzy dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Just then, a man cut off my view of her, and a spark of fury rushed through me at the way he was standing so close to her.
I didn’t know if my irritation showed on my face, but Meher’s eyes widened when she saw me. Was it relief I saw on her face? Then I got a good look at the man in front of her, and a wave of disgust washed over me. It was Sanjay Jhala, the Yuvaraj of Jhala, Nilanjana’s brother.
He also happened to be the man Meher had betrayed me with eight years ago.
CHAPTER 12
MEHER
My mother had been practically delirious with joy when we returned home last night.
“Finally! Shreenathji has heard my prayers,” she cried, as we walked into the house. “He brought Samrat back into your life.”
“He isn’t back in my life, Ma,” I said firmly, and she gave me a sceptical look.
“Really? Then why was he following you around like a puppy all evening? Look, I know you’re upset about the past, but it wasn’t all his fault. You made some mistakes too.”
I stared at her in disbelief, not able to get a word out for a few seconds.
“What was my mistake, Ma?” I finally asked, almost shaking with fury. “Please tell me. Because you never believed in my innocence, did you?”
“Do we really have to get into it, beta?” she asked with an uneasy laugh. “Let’s leave the past where it belongs.”
“No, I really want to know, Ma. What do you think happened that night?” I insisted.
“Fine! If you want to hear it, that’s on you,” she snapped. “Samrat caught you in bed with Sanjay Jhala the morning after his big polo win. That’s why he dumped you eight years ago, and to be honest, I don’t blame him. You shamed yourself and you shamed us all, Meher.”
